According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold can make you very sick. But sometimes it can be hard to determine if your health issues are caused by mold or not, as mold-related impairments can cause symptoms that mimic many other conditions.
If you suspect that you are getting sick due to mold exposure, there are a few key steps you should take to uncover the root cause of your illness so you can pursue the right remedies for relief.
When mold is making you sick, you may have legal rights if your mold exposure is the fault of a landlord, property owner who sold you a water-damaged property, or other negligent party. Matthew de Lira provides comprehensive legal support to victims injured by mold, so give a call today to schedule your free consultation and learn how a mold illness lawyer in San Diego can help you.
How can you determine if mold is making you sick?
There are a few key steps to take to determine if mold is making you sick. Some of the steps may include:
- Monitoring for symptoms of mold-related illness: Common symptoms include sneezing, coughing, breathing difficulties, throat irritation, red or itchy eyes, skin irritation including rashes, headaches, dizziness, and brain fog.
- Look for signs of mold in your area: Signs of mold in your home include visible fuzzy, slimy, or speckled patches on walls or ceilings, water damage including dark water stains on surfaces, heavy window condensation or other signs of excess moisture, warped wood, or cracking drywall.
- Visit a doctor: Medical care providers can conduct medical tests to determine if you have a mold allergy or if you have been exposed to toxic mold. Blood tests that measure immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, urine mycotoxin tests, and skin prick tests can all be used to determine if you are suffering health effects of mold.
- Work with a mold detection expert: A mold expert can come to your home, look for signs of mold, obtain mold spores, and test the spores to better understand the type of mold you have in your home and to determine if it is a toxic or dangerous strain.
Taking these steps soon after you begin experiencing mold-related symptoms is important because the longer you are exposed to mold, the more serious and long-lasting the health consequences can become.
What to do if mold is making you sick
If mold is making you sick, you should get medical help. Your doctor may prescribe medications like antihistamines, nasal spray, or inhalers.
You’ll also need to take steps to remove the source of the mold. This could mean fixing plumbing leaks, hiring a mold remediation expert, or increasing ventilation.
If you are living in a rental property, your landlord has an obligation to provide you with a safe and habitable living environment, so the burden of removing the mold should fall on your landlord.
If your exposure was caused by negligence or wrongdoing, taking legal action to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress could be advisable, as you may experience substantial damages due to serious mold-related illness.
Getting help from a mold lawyer
Our mold attorney, Matthew de Lira is here and ready to fight for you if you were made sick due to mold. Give us a call or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you get the justice you deserve.